North Dakota woman charged in adoption scam

April 10, 2018

JAMESTOWN, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota woman has been charged with what prosecutors say was an adoption scam.

Betty Jo Krenz, of Woodworth, is accused of taking $1,800 from a Medford, Oregon couple to arrange an adoption that never materialized. Krenz is charged in Stutsman County with theft of services, as well as another felony accusing her of using personal information without permission.

KQDJ reports families say Krenz used her background as a Spirit Lake social worker to produce fake adoption papers. If convicted, Krenz could get up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines.